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I was invited to NH16, Brookline, NH yesterday as PIC. Glad I had been in before as a passenger. You have to get as low as you dare over a swampy area and climb up the hill into the woods. Huge pines everywhere on both sides and a solid row of 60 footers at the top. Don't bang you tail on them as you turn around. One has a helpful stop sign. Sort of a paved version of home, but it must freak non-glider pilots the first few times with forest products filling the windscreen right to the top and above. Not too tough but you are committed.

That's my home strip! I'm the gray house on the south end, west side, but we were out kayaking at Jenness Beach on Sunday.

Those trees at the south end; they're ~95 ft. I've triangulated them. For extra credit, land from the south over those trees and down hill. I've been told that I'm the only one who has ever landed over the trees at night. Did it with an RV-4.

I have a neighbor who used to keep a Twin Comanche there. I've also seen Lancair's and Glasair's in there. In the past, someone landed a C90 KingAir once or twice.

Kestrel- I can't imagine landing over the trees and downhill with anything more than Ted's Champ. I landed downwind as I'm used to it at home. When Ted and I discovered we had former tow pilot Ritts Howard in common, I asked about him. Ted led me around the corner and there was Ritts old 90hp Champ. I have a picture of it in my hangar. I love aviation.

Kestrel- I can't imagine landing over the trees and downhill with anything more than Ted's Champ. I landed downwind as I'm used to it at home. When Ted and I discovered we had former tow pilot Ritts Howard in common, I asked about him. Ted led me around the corner and there was Ritts old 90hp Champ. I have a picture of it in my hangar. I love aviation.

Aviation is a small world. What were you flying? ...and were is your home base?

Ted and I are motorglider builders, I finished first and now I'll torment him until he finishes. I went in first with our dealer in a Pipistrel Alpha, which is basically a slightly clipped version but no spoilers, he's the man. Going in Sunday with spoilers was like cheating. I'm at Middlebury, but have a mudhole out in Shoreham where I kept the 7AC. So you see how a 90 Champ can be aspirational.

Jeff says it's a go for Saturday. Slight breeze but right down the lake and float guys can hide on East side of point. Bring something to tie down with. 1pm? And slumber party with Joe after dark. Bring you PJs, don't wear Spiderman as that's what Joe has and would be weird if there were 2 of them

Glenn

"Optimism is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking the tartar sauce with you!"

I pulled the plug on float flying this season. I dropped it off at the island Sunday and just need to get back up and put it away. Not a great year, only 63 hrs in my 78 year old magic carpet

The boys were using the dolly and hoist on the Citabria

SJ, I stopped in to see our buddy Nic on the way home. Thought you would enjoy some pictures. Funny thing is that he's a 5th generation world class violin and cello luthiar that has been making a living building unique string intruments like these lately.

Glenn

"Optimism is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking the tartar sauce with you!"

Glenn, your pictures struck a chord. Was up at the lake the other day and we are well into the gray season. Funny thing, but I made a couple of Telecasters last winter and I'll probably make a couple more waiting for the magic of summer whilst having a blast in the powder snow....gray season can't end soon enough.

Good gawd who drug that guy out. If I had to go listen to Tim Sample spew out that crap one more time I would fashion a noose from the band on my underpants and hang myself. He got a few laughs in college and has tried to turn that into a career poking fun at Maine people. The same crap for 20 years it hasn't changed

Well -- it's not Summer but it certainly is NE Fun! I can stop being a poser in this thread and contribute (hopefully) in a meaningful way. After months of searching I've finally picked up a little piece of fabric of my own! N82354, a 1946 Aeronca Champ 7AC sits along my Skyhawk in the hanger. It's a 65hp w/ Millenium cylinders. Boy do I have a lot to learn... with my first 100hrs in a 152, and last 300 in my Skyhawk this feels like starting from scratch!! But I am beyond excited, and maybe a little nervous...

Step one is earning my tailwheel endorsement. I've got 4hrs in a J3 cub and other than that, no TW time. If anyone is near 1B1, consider me a sponge eager to learn!! I definitely feel over my head.. but am excited to get beyond that and feel comfortable in this wonderful machine. Just thought I'd share here.. Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and stay warm!

Wowza, she's a beauty! Champs are great fun and docile as kittens to fly. If you'be been out and about in a J-3 you will find the Champ a more stable platform, so you are well on your way. There are lots of great posts as of late ref people in a similar situation transitioning to tailwheel. Some good advice in those posts. And remember, we're all still learning something each and every flight. So, don't be too hard on yourself if you are landing too fast at first and wondering why you are bouncing right back into the sky......

4 T&L's there today!! I hope they enjoyed the show.... nothing too crazy but my trip off the "ski jump" was certainly interesting, she was flying before I wanted her too!!

Originally Posted by JP

Wowza, she's a beauty! Champs are great fun and docile as kittens to fly. If you'be been out and about in a J-3 you will find the Champ a more stable platform, so you are well on your way. There are lots of great posts as of late ref people in a similar situation transitioning to tailwheel. Some good advice in those posts. And remember, we're all still learning something each and every flight. So, don't be too hard on yourself if you are landing too fast at first and wondering why you are bouncing right back into the sky......

Thank you JP!! Yes I can't believe how good the visibility is in the Champ. I am not a big guy, so it was much appreciated. I will dig up those posts.. I am eager to learn and trying to absorb all I can. It is so great to now be able to go over to the hangers and put it all to practice. You are certainly right, every flight is something new, especially in the Champ. Some airplanes make it easy to forget that... but this one is keeping me on my toes!

I posted this on another thread but thought I'd paste it here.

----

Thank you all for the wonderful comments!! She is a wonderful bird and I feel so lucky to have her. Finally I can stop ooohing and ahhhing all day on this website and start to join the fun with a piece of yellow fabric of my own..

I went for my first real flight in the Champ today and couldn't believe what it an experience it was. Not on the clock (renting..), nowhere to be, nobody to see, nothing to do but enjoy the pleasure of flight in a 1940's aircraft. I felt like I was in another era, the 1.2hrs spent buzzing around the Hudson Valley felt effortless (including 4 landings on the grass at NY1 Kline Kill). The Champ burnt a measly ~3.5 gallons. My Skyhawk ins't real thirsty either at ~8gph but this is a whole different ball game.

It was blowing about 12knts by the time we came in, but right down the runway. I felt like a dope taxiing. I have a hard time switching directions after a 180 degree turn, and end up turning it into a 360..or 540.. or maybe even a 720. I have to apply full opposite brake, some throttle, and then quickly ease off to center it out. I suppose just some things I will need to get more practice on! 1500ft in the Champ felt and looked like 3500ft in the Skyhawk. I have no clue why.. but now I know why you guys hang out so low!!

PS: the reiff preheater worked an absolute treat. I got up at 6am to plug her in, by 9:30 she was toasty!

Pics from my instructor in the rear seat (I was happy as a clam up front!!)

Fun, fun, FUN! Today was one of the best flights of my life. I'm only scratching the surface, but boy have you all found something special!

Pictures are better than words..

We ended up making our way to Freehold 1I5. No maps, nothing in mind, just followed what looked right and somehow made it there.

It took me four tries but I finally made it stick on that 22ft gravel strip. First two were too high, third was looking good until a handful of dear wandered across the runway! Fourth worked just a treat. Taxii'd to the end and jet out the other side. What a day!

PS: I used a pillow to help move me closer to the controls. I think this helped a lot. The pillow measured 5.5" but compressed down to probably about 3". If anyone has anything in mind for something a bit more permanent let me know!